The permit holder must reserve a zone for each night of their trip. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. A better hike is the South Platte Trail in Denver. Colorado weather: High winds impact Front Range, prompting red flag . Author BillMiddlebrook. Conundrum Hot Springs is the most famous alpine hot spring in Colorado, which is part of the reason why it's also a hot spot (pun intended) of conservation controversy. Fantastic but grueling two-day hike to Conundrum Hot Springs with my wife and a few other middle-aged couples. Leslie joined OutThere Colorado in November 2020. Overnight camping permits for Conundrum Hot Springs for April 1-July 31 will be available by reservation beginning at 8 a.m. Feb. 15, at www.recreation.gov. We were on a such a time crunch and should have prepared better. Use thisMaroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zone Mapto understand which areas require overnight permits. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. There is no parking in the vicinity during the winter so if you want to go, snowshoeing or snowmobiling in is the only way to have access to Conundrum Creek Trail. Conundrum Hot Springs is one of Maroon Bells more unique features. Of note, there is very little water between Copper Creek and Triangle Pass so plan accordingly. Overall I would still tell everyone to go there! The hike is around 8.5 miles on way. There are no toilets so nows the time to brush up on backcountry bathroom etiquette. This Wilderness is located inColorado within the Elk Mountains and spans the White River and Gunnison National Forests. It is a difficult out and back trail, but well worth the hike after getting to soak in the pristine waters of Conundrum Hot Springs. Conundrum Hot Springs is one of Colorados most primitive spots for a soak in heated mineral water. Air Quality Fair. Bring a wag bag or three, depending on the number of nights you plan to stay, and follow all the proper directions for disposing of those. At 8 miles, there are remnants of a cabin, and the hot springs are just ahead on the left on the other side of the creek. Conundrum Hot Springs Spring, Pitkin, Colorado (United States), elevation 3416 m Press to show information about this location Forecast Nearby Map Details Current conditions -11 Feels like -19 0 mm 5 m/s Table Graph Night Morning Afternoon Evening Max/min temp. I would highly recommend budgeting an entire day to tackle this hike if you are not going to spend the night. You will know you are in the right place when you have to cross a bridge over Castle Creek as soon as you turn right onto Conundrum Road. Any information of what to expect & how to prepare for it would be much appreciated. Hoping to hike this beauty mid May this year. and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. 8 miles if you start at 11,200'. I secured a permit for this hike for a few days & are beyond stoked to be going back. Looking forward to round two. Two 14ers, Castle and Conundrum and a 13er, Castlebra. Campsites 1, 2, and 3 will be closest to the hot springs themselves while other campsites are slightly further away but are a little more secluded. Air Quality Excellent. There are several excellent day hikes available from the campsites at Conundrum Hot Springs. Share with Us. South southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Map updates are paused. Wind NE 6 mph. 1am MDT Apr 18, 2023-6pm MDT Apr 24, 2023, Area Forecast Discussion (if above link is not working), Excessive Rainfall and Winter Weather Forecasts, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Be prepared for temperature to drop well below freezing at night during this season. So rewarding to say I did this, in one day, super pregnant. No parking is allowed on Conundrum Road outside of the trailhead because it is very narrow and goes over private property. The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness was one of five areas in Colorado designated as wilderness in the original Wilderness Act of 1964. Carpooling is highly encouraged to allow as many people to enjoy the trail and hot springs as possible. There are quite a few private drives on Conundrum Road so be careful not to turn down one of these. There is one other approach where you can access Conundrum Hot Springs. You will have to snowshoe or snowmobile into the trailhead because the road is not plowed during the winter and there is virtually no parking nearby during this season. If there is any more issues with avalanche activity and damage to the trail, keep your eyes open for signs posted by the United States Forest Service indicating issues with the trail and any access. The first half of the trail winds through Conundrum Creek Valley, passing the occasional aspen grove. If you plan to start your trip at the Maroon Scenic Area, you will need to reserve a parking or bus reservation. We provide tools and tips to discover Follow Conundrum Road a little over a mile up to the trailhead. 84 F. RealFeel 97. Once you reach the decent into the Conundrum Bowl it is only another 3 miles or so to reach the hot springs. Recreation.gov! Camp jays are notorious in the area for helping themselves to any tasty items available, even from your plate! Plan accordingly by bringing plenty of water, food, and extra clothing that might be needed after soaking in the hot springs. After an early morning dip in the hot springs, we began our decent. It took us 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the hot springs. Enjoy stories, how-to articles and reviews from our team of expert guides, certified coaches, and career outdoor professionals. If you drive 1/2 mile west of Aspen down Highway 82 you'll reach a roundabout where you'll turn right on to Castle Creek Road. The Dyrt writer Meghan ODea recently traveled to Ohio to learn all about this thrilling way to connect with, This article about surfing in Maine is brought to by OOFOS, the makers of extremely comfy slide sandals. The best time to visit the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is July through September. Mt. Food left out during the day or night is an attractive nuisance for wildlife, and can bring unwanted attention from bruins. After picking up your required overnight permit, start your morning with a coffee in Aspen, then drive out 15 min to the trailhead at the end of Conundrum Creek road. Honestly, the worst part was getting all the way up and then having to turn around and leave the hot springs after only soaking for an hour or so. The Forest Service hauled out a ton of garbage and feces from the trail, which is a Wilderness Area. Once she back tracked and met up with rest of us it was gone. Expect to meet people and socialize on a Conundrum Hot Springs trip. The ascent is about 2500 ft in elevation. Categories Backpacking, Colorado, Hot Springs. New reservation is subject to availability. If you leave Aspen westbound on Highway 82, take Maroon Lake Road west for a very short time until you can head south onto Castle Creek Road. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. In Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake, and Capitol Lake Zones, the permit holder and group are required to camp in their reserved campsite. Many of them are on well-constructed wooden bridges. We started our hike at about 7:45 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. I believe it was 8 or 9 miles in and it is a trek with all your gear. In addition, you get to soak in a natural spring while taking in the vistas of the Elk Mountains. Welcome to Conundrum Hot Springs, AKA Heaven on Earth. When we were leaving there were two. This hike has spectacular views from beginning to end! Read More >, Local Forecast OfficeMore Local Wx3 Day HistoryMobile WeatherHourly Weather Forecast, Breezy.Mostly Cloudythen SlightChance SnowShowers, Slight ChanceSnow Showersthen MostlyCloudy, Zone Area Forecast for Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys, CO. Summer camping in high country areas like this really exists only from early July to mid-September. 900 Grand Ave. We saw no other people during the rest of the hike. The hike is not so difficult from elevation grade but rather for the distance it takes to make it all the way to the hot springs. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Start 9,800 feet. For the prepared backpacker, Conundrum Hot Springs offers a perfect balance of hiking, relaxation, and world-class views. You have permission to edit this article. With all that being said, it was completely worth it! My friend and I were worried about the parking situation (because we heard it is a highly trafficked area) so we arrived at the trailhead around 5:50am. Prepare; I did this 71/2 months pregnant (in one day)! J'aimerais savoir les indications routires et est-ce que la randonne pdestre est indiqu par des panneaux et aussi c'est combien de Kilomtres de marche ? Make sure that you do not bring any glass containers into a wilderness area. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, the Forest Service Rangers come up there often. It goes from Copper Creek to Triangle Pass down to Conundrum Hot Springs. The best time to visit the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is July through September. Raft the Colorado River through Glenwood Springs - Half Day Adventure, Real Gold Mine Tour with, gold panning and more, Browns Canyon Sizzler 6-Hour Whitewater Rafting Experience from Buena Vista, Glenwood Springs Short and Mild Rafting Trip, Extreme Sledding in Breckenridge: Country Boy Mine, French Alpine Bistro - Creperie du Village. This trail is a little bit longer at about 22.5 miles total. For all of the above reasons, Conundrum Hot Springs has been thronged by an average of 50 people a day. 10 Incredible Hikes in Colorado That Will Change Your Life, The 9 Best Hikes near Leadville, Colorado, Decalibron Loop: Bag Four Colorado 14ers In A Single Day. It took us 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the hot springs. Supervisor's Office If you have a certain date in mind, or want to get up there on a weekend, you need to have a Recreation.gov account and be ready to make a reservation almost immediately on the following days: If you just want to hike up for the day, you do not need to make reservations, but you must be on the trail, heading down before sunset. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. There was a problem saving your notification. Campfires are not allowed at this elevation because they consume wood, accumulate trash, and kill fragile alpine vegetation. Then camp near the hot springs before you head back out to the trailhead. Use the 'Report' link on It takes a grueling 8-mile hike uphill hike to reach, but plop into the main pool, absorb the view and breathe the chill mountain air . Some of them have large rocks or Boulders in which to step. The permit allows the permit holder (and group) to camp in the Overnight Permit Zone they select within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. There are a limited number of parking spaces available so you may need to reserve a bus ticket. GMZ870-171215- Waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 to 60 NM- 755 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 OVERNIGHT West winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming northwest with gusts up to 20 knots, then becoming north 15 to 20 knots late . In all other zones, the permit holder and group should select a campsite within the zone that is already established, and is 70 big steps away from trails and water. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Dogs are not allowed in this wilderness area, which begins on the Conundrum Creek Trail after Silver Dollar Pond. And finally, there is a limit of 2 permits per year per person. Be sure to pack accordingly for high altitude weather during all seasons and a night of camping near the hot springs. on official, secure websites. A chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. One of the students played guitar and sang. View all hotels near Conundrum Hot Springs on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Conundrum Hot Springs on Tripadvisor, The John Denver Sanctuary: Tickets & Tours, Town 2 Mountain Express: Tickets & Tours, Montmartre and Sacre Coeur Walking Tour in Paris, Unlimited WiFi Router Hotspot Naha (Okinawa) Airport 4G LTE plus Free Power Bank, Kandy to Ella train ride on (Train No: 1015 "Udarata Menike"), MJ Live at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino, Capri Private Boat Tour from Positano or Praiano or Amalfi. The heavy use of the area does not allow for waste deposited in catholes to fully decompose. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. Please try another search. A 4 wheel drive vehicle will be required to get to the trailhead this time of year. Sorry, the location you searched for was not found. Although it is less distance, it is also much less elevation gain and will be easier on the legs. As one of the highest hot springs in North America, Conundrum Hot Springs sits at a staggering 11,200 feet above sea level, offering jaw-dropping views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. I did this hike (on a whim) super pregnant in one dayand I shouldn't have. The hike proved difficult for our aging group as we took nine hours to reach the hot springs. Sheriff Pitkin: 970-920-5300. The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. Make sure to bring a filter for water and light weight gear. RealFeel Shade 72. Weather in Connundrum Hot Springs (Colorado), . and follow the rules. that is degrading to another person. 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